The modern bathroom is a huge innovation that has improved the quality of life (not to mention sanitation) for people all over the world. But while bathrooms are better than ever, they still have a tendency to smell not so great. However, you don’t have to resign yourself to a funky smelling bathroom. From using baking soda to lighting candles, here are seven things you can do to make your bathroom smell good all the time:
Clean the bathroom regularly
No, it’s not the most fun activity, or even the best household chore, but regularly cleaning your bathroom is vital to making it smell good. You should clean the bathroom several times a month, and ideally once a week. Vacuum and mop the area and wipe down the outside of the cabinets and toilet. Clean the toilet and sink with designated cleaners, and the shower, too, if there is one in the bathroom. The more often you clean it, the less grime will build up and the less time it will take to scrub everything, which will ultimately make it easier to clean the bathroom each week.
Wipe it down daily
In addition to deep cleaning the bathroom once a week, you should also consider wiping down your bathroom daily, or every couple of days if it doesn’t get used as much. Wipe up any stains or dust that have accumulated to keep them from drying in place, and mop up any standing puddles of water to avoid mildew and mold. This takes only a few minutes a day, but it can make a big difference in how clean your bathroom smells. If you forget to wipe it down, try leaving a canister of scented cleaning wipes out on the bathroom counter to jog your memory whenever you’re in the bathroom.
Take out the trash
You probably take out the kitchen trash on a regular schedule because food scraps start to rot so quickly, but the bathroom trash can be an afterthought–especially if it doesn’t fill up as fast as the kitchen trash. Bathroom trash may not contain rotting food scraps, but it will start to smell funky if you leave it to sit for weeks, so make a point of emptying it out regularly. If your trash gets picked up weekly, make it a point to gather up the bathroom trash before you take it out to the curb. If you have a pick-up service that comes to your door, dump your bathroom trash into the kitchen trash can before setting it out for pickup. You can also use scented trash can liners to give your trash can an extra boost.
Don’t let it stay damp
Damp spaces encourage the growth of mold and mildew and also attract bugs, pests and other vermin. All of these things can contribute to a nasty smelling situation, which is why you should try to keep your bathroom well–ventilated and as dry as possible. Leave the door open after you shower to help air circulate into the space, and run the bathroom fan until it dries out. If your bathroom fan isn’t cutting it, you might need to replace it or (if you live in a rental) set up a box or tower fan that can get the job done.
Switch out your towels
Circulating the air will also help your towels dry out faster, which in turn helps keep them from getting musty. To make your towels air out further, hang them up after each use instead of tossing them on the floor in a damp heap. Switch them out each week, and wash them regularly as well so they’re not just sitting in your laundry basket. If you want to give them an extra boost of fragrance, you can wash them with scented detergent or dry them with scented dryer sheets, too. Just make sure you’re not sensitive to the fragrance or else you might irritate your skin.
Take advantage of baking soda
Your mom taught you to put an open box of baking soda in your refrigerator, but do you even know why? Well, baking soda is naturally absorbent, soaking up nasty odors and helping to keep your home smelling fresh. But baking soda isn’t just limited to the kitchen. You can also use it to clean the bathroom. It’s an especially good cleaner for the toilet, which tends to be a little stinky. Simply sprinkle some baking soda into the bowl and let it sit for a while and then flush it down. You can also set out home baking soda fresheners, though be aware that you might need to change them out pretty regularly due to the heightened moisture in the bathroom.
Set up passive fragrance
A bathroom is a great place to set up devices that passively release scent 24/7, such as reed diffusers and scented sachets. Make sure to place these items in secure locations so they won’t accidentally be knocked over and cause a mess. If you’d like, you can also light a candle and place it in the bathroom to make it smell good. However, candles are only temporary, as they shouldn’t be burned for more than four hours at a time to avoid superheating the wax. Make sure to place the candle away from any drafts or fans so the flame doesn’t get blown around.
Make any bathroom smell better with these seven hacks. Yes, it takes some time and effort to keep your bathroom looking clean and smelling good, but it’s so worth it. You’ll feel like you’re using a spa every time you go to the bathroom, without ever leaving the comfort of your house.
